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I inhale sweet chocolatey goodness.
My eyes open just as Waylon brings me a plate filled with brownies.
I smile as he sets the plate on my stomach.
“Thank you,” I say.
He glances at his watch. “Corbin and I have to go meet Martin to execute our sale with Dunn. You’ll be okay with Maxwell watching you?”
I nod, my smile brightening. The sooner they leave, the sooner they finish the job, and we can get on to the next chapter of our lives. Selling drugs is a dangerous business, but my brothers and Martin are very good at it. I have no worries they’ll make it back just fine.
“Yep, thanks to you, I don’t have to eat any of his terrible cooking.”
He grins and then leans down and kisses me on the forehead. “I love keeping my nieces and nephews fed.” He leans down close to my belly. “Stay in there until we get back.”
I just roll my eyes and watch as Waylon heads out, followed by Corbin, who just nods in my direction before taking off.
Maxwell collapses on the couch next to me. “So what are we watching while we stuff our faces?”
Maxwell’s phone buzzes as we watch another house-hunting show.
I pop another piece of brownie into my mouth while Maxwell answers, assuming it’s Corbin or Waylon calling to say the job is done and they are headed back.
Maxwell’s smile immediately drops as he listens.
“What is it?” I ask.
He stands, not answering me as he whispers something into the phone.
My heart stops, which isn’t good since it’s supplying blood to not only me but the three babies growing inside of me.
I scramble to my feet, which is easier said than done.
I walk quickly through the house, each step forcing blood through my already breaking heart. I can feel the change, the shift. I know without any words that Martin is gone. I don’t feel him anymore. I feel nothing but numbness.
No, that’s crazy to think. He’s not dead, just injured. He can’t be dead.
I spot Maxwell out on the back deck, pacing, still on the phone. He’s trying to protect me, but I have to know.
I waddle outside, moving as fast as my swollen feet will take me. I throw the door open and step out into the chilly air.
Maxwell drops the phone when he sees me.
“What happened?” I ask, using all my oxygen to get the words out.
He shakes his head. “You should be inside, sitting down.” He rubs his neck. “No, maybe we should head to the hospital.”
Head to the hospital?
“What happened to Martin? How bad is it?”
He closes the distance between us and takes my hands in his. “We all love you. We are all here for you. Whatever happens next, you will always have the three of us to love and protect you.”
The three of us.
“What. Happened?”
He opens his mouth with tears in his eyes. “Dunn betrayed us. He took the drugs without paying. He attacked us.” His throat catches, his tears fall, and the pain ricochets off him and onto me. “Martin—he didn’t make it.”
